ARTICILE ANALYSIS 1: Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre

I came across an article on the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre whilst browsing among BlueScope Steel’s many intriguing case studies. However I was attracted to this review particularly due to the image included of the complex structural frame. Designed by Perth’s The Cox Group, the building was constructed by Multiplex using approximately 500 tonnes of steel (provided of course, by BlueScope). The entire building is 267m long and 66m wide, comprising a floor space of around 16,600 square metres. Thus, the long spanning roof that covers a 250m radius, and additionally takes on an undulating profile, proved a major consideration in the construction process.

Initially 280 tonnes of high tensile steel in the form of five pairs of trusses were used to support the structure. These trusses were designed with a three-dimensional form in order to shape the roof, which was constructed out of the familiar Lysaght Klip-Lok roofing, due to its strength, durability and accessibility in long lengths. The roof material also had to cope with carrying water at each of the crests, which was solved by concealed fixings in the profile, reducing the potential for leakage. Due to site restrictions, the material was unable to be roll formed on site, and was therefore made simultaneously to ensure uniformity, and provided over the duration of a year. Furthermore, the 16,600 square meters of floor space was divided up into six pavilions. These were supported by 6m spanning zed section purlins at 1.2 centres. That’s another 125 tonnes of pure purlins…. Whoa!